336 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



[From the Albany Cultivator.] 



SPECIMENS OF SOILS FROM WISCONSIN. 



The samples of soil alluded to in the following letter, were handed 

 to Prof Emmons, by whom they were subjected to an analysis, the 

 results of which, with accompanying remarks, will be seen in the 

 subjoined article. The Professor's remark that " it would be easier 

 to make suggestions on the spot than at a distance," is obviously 

 correct, and should always be borne in mind in soliciting iiiforma- 

 tion on such subjects, 



Geneva (Wisconsin Territory), May 27, 1845. 



Mr. Tucker — I take the liberty to send you a sample of marl 

 found in this vicinity, and also a small quantity of the soil taken 

 from my farm, both of which I wish to have analyzed. 



My object is to ascertain, in the first place, the nature of my 

 soil, that I may be able to apply such manures, if they are within 

 my reach, as will be most likely to facilitate the growth of wheat ; 

 and I wish also to know whether this marl will probably be valuable 

 as a manure on such soils as mine ; and will charcoal be likely to 

 increase the wheat crop here ; and you will confer a great favor 

 by suggesting any thing that would be of service in the cultivation 

 of our great staple. 



Such lands as mine in their present state, will yield about twenty- 

 five bushels to the acre, with good cultivation, without manure ; 

 but I suppose the average is not over fifteen bushels, under our 

 present poor management. I wish to see what can be done on our 

 new lands in increasing our yield of wheat, and intend to make my 

 experiments with care, and keep an exact account of expense, that 

 I may determine how well we may cultivate our new lands and 

 make it pay. 



You will oblige me much by assisting me to obtain such informa- 

 tion as will enable me to start right in this matter. 



C. M. GoODSELL. 



To C. M. GooDSELL — I hereby acknowledge the receipt of two 

 specimens, one of soil, and the other what was supposed to be marl. 

 I have analyzed both, and below I give you the results. The soil is 

 extremely fine, and very different in this respect from any of the 

 soils of New-York or of New-England ; as the latter are always 

 coarse, or at least when compared with that from your farm. It is 

 of the color and ap(iearance of ground emery ; it will all pass 

 through the finest sieve. When examined under the microscope, a 

 few white grains of quartz may be seen, the largest of which are 

 about the size of a mustard seed. If this is a sample which repre- 

 sents the soil of your farm, its fineness is its most characteristic 

 property. It will lie too compactly after it has been cultivated for a 

 few years longer, or when its vegetable matter is expended, and will 



